Chapter 30: Let's Make a Deal

*Jasmine*

Her father nodded. “And we’re flying with you to help you get a car and settle in.”
“No, Dad.” Jasmine let out a deep breath. “I’m an adult now, and I can do this on my own. I’ve been saving money—”
“Yes, but we’re buying the car,” he cut her off. There it was. He was holding money over her head again. Of all the things in her life, that was what she hated the most. Every time her father wanted her to do something, he threatened to cut her off or withhold money for something. “I just want to make sure you get something dependable.”
“Dear,” her mother intervened, “we agreed to get her a new car, so it really doesn’t matter where we get it. Besides, we have another month before anything’s decided.”
Jasmine knew if she didn’t say something quick, she’d lose her chance. “Dad, I’m going to fly from here. It’d be a whole lot easier.”
Her father let out a deep breath, studying her. “Are you sure you can handle getting a car on your own? You’ll need to rent a car at the airport and then go straight to a car dealership.”
“Honey,” her mother interjected, “we could take her to a national car dealership here, let her pick out what she wants, and then she can pick it up at the dealership in Tennessee. That way, we’ll be sure to get her exactly what she wants.”
“That’s a great idea!” Jasmine chirped, wondering why she hadn’t thought of that. “We could pick it out here, and then I’ll just pick it up when I get there, as Mom said!” She looked over at her mother and smiled.
To her surprise, her mother winked. Jasmine smiled. Her mothered was actually helping her.
“Well, I guess I can’t argue with that,” her father said. “But who’s going to help her return the rental car?”
“One of the men at the dealership could take it back for me. Couldn’t they?” I asked, trying to think of everything.
Her father frowned. “Well, we’ll see when we get to the car dealership.” Then a broad smile spread across his face. “So, would you like to go tomorrow to pick it out?”
Jasmine bit her lower lip. “As long as it’s early. I have a date with Zain tomorrow night for the Fourth of July. We’re going out to dinner, and then we’re going to watch the fireworks on the beach.”
Her father sighed. “Well, I guess I could miss my tee time one day. I’ll text Frank and let him know.”
“Yeah!” Jasmine squealed, excited at the prospect of getting a new car. Even though she wouldn’t drive it off the lot, she would have it in Tennessee… and that was what counted.
William looked up from his phone, arching an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’ll be okay picking it up at the dealership in Tennessee? You won’t be disappointed that we’re not driving it home tomorrow. Will you?”
“She’ll be fine,” Hannah intervened. “I don’t feel comfortable with her driving that far alone anyway. I’d rather her fly to Tennessee, and then she can pick up the car there.”
Her father nodded. “Okay. As long as you’re okay with it, Jasmine.”
“I’m fine with it,” she replied. “That sounds great!” She quickly kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thanks, Mom!” Then she hugged her father from behind his chair, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek, too, and hurried off to her room. “Thanks, Dad!”
“Don’t thank me yet!” her father yelled after her. “You don’t have the car yet!”
Jasmine closed the door, excited. She knew it would take some time for her parents to warm up to the idea, but she was sure that eventually they won’t object to her leaving early. She would have to make sure the car dealership didn’t notify her parents when she picked up the car, though. That would be a telltale sign. She hated going behind her parents’ backs like this, but on the other hand, it was her first taste of freedom and she intended to enjoy it.
Knock, knock, knock!
Jasmine opened the door, and her mother was standing there. “Can we talk?”
“Yeah. Come in, Mom.” Jasmine opened the door wide and stood back to let her in. “What’s up?”
“Close the door, dear,” her mother said, her voice low.
Jasmine did as she asked and sat on the bed beside her mother, leaning against the headboard while her mother sat at the foot. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
Her mother smiled, tilting her head to the side. It seemed that very little upset her mother... that she showed, anyway. “I was young once, and I remember well how first love feels. It’s stronger, more powerful than any emotion you’ll ever feel.”
Jasmine let out a deep breath. “Mom, if you’re going to have ‘the talk’ with me, don’t. I promised you I would wait until I was married, and I intend to keep that promise.” Even if she planned to get married temporarily to fulfill that promise, it still counted.
Hannah nodded, smiling sweetly. “I know, but I also know how powerful young love is... which is why I want to make an appointment for you this week to start taking birth control.”
“Mom!”
“Now, hear me out,” her mother replied. “It would make me feel better if you did. There are all types of birth control today—”
“Mom, please!” she moaned.
“Shush!” her mother placed her finger to her lips. Then her head snapped toward the door as they both waited. When they didn’t hear William’s footsteps, she continued. “It would make me feel better if you were on birth control, sweetheart.”
Jasmine let out a deep breath, defeated. It was the smart thing to do, anyway. “Okay.”
“Now, this doesn’t mean I’m giving you a license to have sex, Jasmine—”
“Mom, please,” she groaned. “Please stop.”
Hannah chuckled. “I assure you; this is just as embarrassing for me as it is for you—”
“I seriously doubt that,” Jasmine cut her off. “But if you make the appointment, then I’ll go.”
“And you’ll take them?” Her mother’s eyebrows rose.
Jasmine nodded, letting out a deep breath. “Yes. Of course, Mom. I am responsible, you know.”
Her mother patted her hand. “I know, honey, but I just want to make sure. I don’t want you to throw away your future—”
“Mom, did you throw away your future when you had me?”
Hannah stared at her in disbelief. “No. Of course not. I was already married to your father when I became pregnant with you.”
Jasmine nodded, then she thought of something. “Mom, was Dad your first love?”
Hannah let out a deep breath. “No, he wasn’t. Years ago, I was in love with a boy, but he wasn’t in our class.